“You shouldn’t have it,” I snap, and I know that’s me acting like a brat. I never even acted like that when our parents were together. I knew he had a rough life prior to Dad practically saving him and his mom from his monster of a father, and I would never say such a thing to him.
It probably wouldn’t have fazed him then because he had thick skin. It definitely doesn’t faze him now.
“No, I shouldn’t, but since I know the place is worth millions, I’m not about to be a fool and turn away an opportunity.”
“What if I buy you out?” There has to be a way around this.
“No,” he answers, and a sinful look enters his eyes.
My lips part. “What? You won’t let me buy you out?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because you won’t be able to afford the four million I’d want for the place.”
“You prick. I don’t have four million dollars.” He knows I don’t have that kind of money. I might be able to find half a mil, maybe a little more, but four million? Fuck no.
He laughs at me. “Well, that’s why I said no.”
“Dad didn’t even pay four million for the place.” I know he couldn’t have.
“Jia, Ethan bought a rundown piece-of-shit building in a great location. If we sold the building, I wouldn’t settle for any less than four million. Do you want to sell it? We could do that.”
“I don’t want to sell it.”
“Okay,” he replies and brings his hand to his head. “Well… then I guess now I know where we stand.” He sighs and moves toward the door, leaving.
“Where are you going?” I call out.
He stops and turns back to me, a quizzical expression on his face. “I thought it might be clear that I’m leaving.”
“Yes, of course it’s clear you’re leaving. But how can you leave when we haven’t resolved anything?”
“I have to think about it.”
“Think about what exactly?” If he’s trying to make me madder at him than I already am, it’s working.
“We want conflicting things. So, I have to think of some kind of solution that won’t involve the building staying as is.”
“Can’t you even meet me halfway? Four million, Paul, that’s ridiculous.”
“It’s not, and you know that,” he says pointedly. The thing is, I know he’s actually right. It’s all about the location. “It’s looking like we might have to sell.”
“I don’t want to sell.”
“That seems to be the only solution.”
“Then we have a problem.”
Now he gives me a lopsided grin. “Jia, we have many problems that won’t get resolved tonight. This is just one of them. Maybe if you stop avoiding me, we’ll be able to sort this one out.”
My cheeks burn. “I choose who I wish to speak to.”
He chuckles and gives me a pensive stare. “I don’t remember you being this fiery. I like it, suits you. I guess it’s better to fight with you than have nothing at all.”
His eyes hold me still with a spark of emotion I instantly recognize as desire. I just haven’t seen him look at me that way in years.